The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed two cases of Lassa Fever in Accra after tests by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
A statement from the service said the first case was that of a 40-year-old trader, who was unwell for a period of two weeks and finally died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
The second case is a contact of the fatal case and is currently on admission at the hospital.
According to the GHS, 56 contacts have been identified so far and are being monitored closely.
As a precautionary measure, Public Health Emergency Management committees at all levels (National, Regions and Districts) have been activated for further investigations.
The service added that essential medications and logistics including Personal Protecting Equipment are being mobilized while contact tracing and management are ongoing.
Lassa fever (a viral hemorrhagic fever) is endemic in Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
Ghana recorded its first case 2011.
Below is the statement
